Our view: Heroin summit sheds light on very real problem

The Midland Daily News

Published 7:00 am, Sunday, September 18, 2016

A few days ago, a group of concerned community members came together to bring awareness to a very real problem taking place in a growing number of neighborhoods, homes and families not only throughout the United States, but in the greater Midland area.

That problem is the use of heroin.

One of those who spoke at the “Heroin Summit,” sponsored by For A Brighter Tomorrow and STEP UP Coach Inc., was Midland Police Community Relations Sgt. Chris Wenzell, who shared the following statistics:

• So far in the 2016 calendar year, there have been 10,500 total calls for police service, with 63 of those calls involving heroin in some way. There have been 10 arrests or warrants involving heroin, 10 overdoses and three deaths connected to heroin or opioids.

• In 2015, there were 14,000 calls for service, with 79 involving heroin in some way. There were nine arrests or warrants for heroin, eight overdoses and one death, which was due to the use of heroin mixed with Fentanyl.

Experts at the summit, which took place at the Grace A. Dow Memorial Library auditorium, talked about the dangers of the drug and how it affects the addict’s brain function. Panel members also noted that heroin is a drug that can impact those from all ages, occupations and all walks of life.

Tige Culbertson, founding pastor of the Restoration Fellowship, stressed that people can change by getting help. Culbertson is an addict in recovery.

“People can change,” he said. “I have addiction in my past and have experienced change. ... My addiction lasted as long as my secrets and just a little bit longer.”

We’re hoping that the summit’s message of awareness and hope is heard by addicts and family members who are desperate for answers.